Day 40 of writing every day.
The winter solstice, the day in winter where sunlight is the shortest, had passed a few weeks ago for the northern hemisphere. That means the days grow longer again and we are headed towards spring. However that does not mean the days will consistently get warmer.
In Japan it is around this time that the air temperature traditionally gets the coldest. I never really track the temperature since I’m not a meteorologist and it’s never been a practice of mine as I don’t see a use for it in my daily life. However, the readings and how it feels outside definitely does feel like it’s the coldest it’s been so far this winter.
Winter is often associated with catching a cold or the flu, and sickness in general spreading. We don’t get as much sun and we spend more time indoors out of the cold but also are moving less on average. This means less fresh air and more stifling, dry air.
I’m fortunate that I haven’t gotten sick once since I caught the coronavirus—which seems to be called omicron more and more—back in late summer of last year. Having lived alone for ten years, I can say that not having someone there to look after you or check in regularly can make getting sick an even worse ordeal.
Good health is something we might take for granted if we aren’t born with any conditions that hold us back from being able to do things we think anyone can do. It’s only when you come down with something or develop something that might last a while or perhaps for the rest of your life that you truly start to appreciate the blessings of a healthy mind and body.
Health insurance might help cover the costs of getting medicine and treatment, but OTC medicine most people might turn to often costs more and reimbursement policies if any can be anything but straightforward. The time missed from work can mean unplanned paid leave days as sick days often require doctor’s notes which also come with a fee.
In short, getting sick feels miserable and you lose time and money. For some it might be a time to reflect and that might be the best use of time while recovering. After all, when else might we have time to just drop everything and focus on spending time with ourselves? Of course, not everyone gets this luxury as they might be parents who have children to look after for example.
Stay warm and healthy!
Thanks for reading!
One Chance Works 